I'ma big fan of not over analysing things,
Take the corkscrew at Swinley for example the run in is just as you describe, theres a tree root at the top fot he first ft is vertical then its another 6ft or so to the ground.
First time, looked at it, walked it, looked at it, decided it must be possible to roll, and did it, quite messily and no one else in the gropu did.
2nd time
3rd time
etc
Didn't even recognise the section of trail (you can come in from the left or the right and the trails merge just before the drop) and happened to be in the front of the group, just instinctively nosed the front off and lifted the back wheel up with my feet (more like droping into a skate park than a dropoff) to keep the chainring off the ground. Must have been going 10x the speed and had much more 'controll' as I was actualy looking at the next corner and the bike dealt with the drop and turn on its own.
Must get a session with Jedi booked soon as I must have so many bad habbits I don't even realise so do neither as I say or as I do as they may well both be wrong!